Alabama football player Kelly Johnson and his fraternity named in suit

Senior walk-on Kelly Johnson, Alabama's starting H-back, is shown before a recent home game against Western Kentucky. (The Birmingham News/Mark Almond)

TUSCALOOSA, Alabama – A starter on the Alabama football team and his fraternity are named in a federal lawsuit that accuses the player of assault two years ago at an off-campus party.

Kelly Gregory Johnson, a walk-on who is the Crimson Tide’s starting H-back, and Sigma Chi are among the defendants in a personal injury suit filed Friday in U.S. District Court in Birmingham.

The civil suit, filed on behalf of plaintiff Logan Herring, alleges that fraternity members provided alcohol to underage members and guests at a “pledge event” held at Johnson’s home.

Neither Herring nor Johnson were 21 years old at the time of the Sept. 22, 2010 party, according to the suit.

Herring vomited on a couch at the party, then walked to a restroom, where he was knocked unconscious after he was kicked and punched in the head by an allegedly intoxicated Johnson, according to the suit. Herring’s head slammed against a wall as he was struck by Johnson while leaving the premises.

The Sigma Chi fraternity at the University of Alabama and one of its members, an Alabama football player, are named in a federal lawsuit that accuses the player of assault two years ago at an off-campus party. (AL.com/Ben Flanagan)

The suit claims Herring suffered a concussion and brain injury, memory loss, anxiety, post-traumatic stress disorder and depression. He transferred to another university.

The suit also alleges that members of the fraternity were aware that Johnson had assaulted another student at least once, including at least one other pledge.

Criminal charges were not filed against Johnson in relation to the alleged incident.

The suit was filed by Birmingham attorney Rick DiGiorgio, who declined comment other than to say, “We will let the lawsuit speak for itself.”

Attorneys representing Johnson and the fraternity, headquartered in Evanston, Ill., are not listed on court documents.

The suit requests a jury trial to determine compensatory and punitive damages.

Johnson has played in all four of Alabama's games, including a home game Saturday against Florida Atlantic. He was seen participating in Tuesday's practice.